Forestry and Land Scotland is the Scottish Government agency charged with looking after Scotland’s National Forests and Land (NFL). While a large proportion of our work involves timber production, we reinvest income into management of the NFL for the benefit of Scotland’s economy, environment, and society.
West Region covers Argyll (West of Loch Fyne), Lorn and Lochaber as well as the Isle of Mull. It is an extremely diverse area rising from the sandy beaches, grassland and rolling hills of Kintyre to the native woodlands and rougher hills of mid-Argyll and Lorn, which finally give way to the high mountains of North Argyll and Lochaber. A mixture of commercial and native woodland occurs in most forests and West Region covers around half of the Scottish Rainforest climatic zone. We have more Plantations on Ancient Woodland Sites (PAWS) than any other Region and this rainforest restoration through removal of rhododendron and non-native species is a key target of our work. The Region balances timber production with this woodland restoration and the restoration of peatlands, another of our key target areas. Heritage is a strong feature, especially in mid-Argyll, and the team manages a number of scheduled monuments as well as a range of designated sites. Our forests are home to a diverse range of species including golden and white-tailed eagles, red squirrel and the Knapdale beavers, as well as many other species of raptor, rare moths, butterflies and the lichens, bryophytes and liverworts which the Scottish Rainforest is renowned for. This role will cover the Southern half of the Region – roughly Loch Etive to Kintyre.
The Planning and Environment team is involved in all aspects of the Region’s work. Together we work to deliver the objectives FLS has agreed with stakeholders and regulators, whilst helping ensure that we meet UK Forestry Standards and maintain UKWAS accreditation. Working closely with others, the team designs the forests of the future, works to protect and restore semi-natural habitats and co-ordinates programmes required to achieve the desired outcomes.